View source for Japanese submarine I-61

{{Short description|Japanese submarine}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image= File:I61.jpg
| Ship caption=
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{{Infobox ship career
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| Ship country=[[Empire of Japan]]
| Ship flag= {{shipboxflag|Empire of Japan|naval}}
| Ship name= ''I-61''
| Ship ordered=
| Ship awarded=
| Ship builder=[[Mitsubishi]] Kobe Yard, [[Kobe]],&nbsp;[[Japan]]
| Ship original cost=
| Ship yard number=
| Ship way number=
| Ship laid down=15 November 1926
| Ship launched=12 November 1927
| Ship sponsor=
| Ship christened=
| Ship completed=6 April 1929
| Ship commissioned=6 April 1929
| Ship decommissioned=11 January 1932
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header=yes
| Ship recommissioned=1 June 1934
| Ship decommissioned=15&nbsp;November&nbsp;1939 or 20&nbsp;March&nbsp;1940
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header=yes
| Ship recommissioned= 15&nbsp;April&nbsp;1940 or 15&nbsp;November&nbsp;1940
| Ship decommissioned=
| Ship out of service=
| Ship reclassified=
| Ship renamed=
| Ship motto=
| Ship fate=*Sunk in collision 2 October 1941
*Refloated 20&nbsp;January&nbsp;1942 or in&nbsp;February&nbsp;1942
*Scrapped 1942
| Ship notes=
| Ship badge=
}}
{{Infobox ship career
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| Ship struck=1 April 1942
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
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| Header caption = 
| Ship class = KD4 Type, [[Kaidai-type submarine|''Kadai'' type submarine]]
| Ship displacement = *1,635 (1,720 maximum) tons surfaced
* 2,300 tons submerged
| Ship length = {{convert|97.70|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|7.80|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship draught = {{convert|4.83|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion =*Surface: 2 x [[MAN SE|Rauschenbach Mk 2]] [[diesel engine]]s, {{convert|6000|hp|lk=in|abbr=on|0}}, two shafts, 230 tons fuel
* Submerged: [[Electric motor]], {{convert|1800|hp|lk=in|abbr=on|0}}
| Ship speed = * {{convert|20|kn|lk=in}} diesel
* {{convert|8.5|kn}} electric
| Ship range = *Surface: {{convert|10,800|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|10|kn}}<ref>もしくは10ktで10,000海里（『写真 日本の軍艦 第12巻 潜水艦』p57の表より）{{in lang|ja}}</ref>
*Submerged: {{convert|60|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|3|kn}}
| Ship endurance = 
| Ship test depth = {{convert|60|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}
| Ship complement = 58 officers and enlisted
| Ship sensors = 
| Ship EW = 
| Ship armament = * 6 x {{convert|533|mm|in|adj=on|abbr=on|0}} [[torpedo tube]]s (4 bow, 2 stern)/14 x {{convert|533|mm|in|adj=on|abbr=on|0}} [[Type 89 torpedo|Type 89]] [[torpedo]]es
* 1 x [[12 cm 11th Year Type naval gun|{{convert|120|mm|in|abbr=on}}]] gun
* 1 × {{convert|7.7|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} [[machine gun]]
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
'''''I-61''''' was a {{sclass2|Kaidai|submarine|0}} [[cruiser submarine]] of the KD4 [[ship class|sub-class]] built for the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] (IJN) during the 1920s. She sank in an October 1941 collision,<ref name=jawiki2>[#昭和天皇実録八巻]493頁(伊号潜水艦沈没事件)この脚注はこのページ上で2回使用されています。{{in lang|ja}}</ref> just prior to [[Japan]]'s entry into [[World War II]].

==Construction and commissioning==
The first unit of the KD4 sub-class, ''I-61'' was built by [[Mitsubishi]] at [[Kobe]], [[Japan]]. Her [[Keel-laying|keel was laid]] on 15 November 1926 and she was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 12 November 1927. She was completed on 6 April 1929.

==Service history==
Upon completion, ''I-61'' was assigned to the [[Sasebo Naval District]].<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-61.htm I-61 ijnsubsite.com August 24, 2018 Accessed 28 September 2020]</ref> On 24 April 1929, she and her [[sister ship]], the submarine {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-62||2}}, combined to form Submarine Division 29,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI162>{{cite web |url= http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-162.htm |title=I-162 ex I-62 |first1= |last1= |work=iijnsubsite.info |date=9 November 2018|accessdate=31 December 2021}}</ref><ref name=jawiki3>『ハンディ版 日本海軍艦艇写真集19巻』72頁。この脚注はこのページ上で4回使用されています。{{in lang|ja}}</ref><ref name=jawiki4>『艦長たちの軍艦史』428頁。この脚注はこのページ上で3回使用されています。{{in lang|ja}}</ref> in which ''I-61'' spent her entire career.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/> The division was attached to the Sasebo Naval District.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/>

Submarine Division 29 was reassigned to Submarine Squadron 1 in the [[1st Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|1st Fleet]] in the [[Combined Fleet]] on 1 December 1930.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/> ''I-61'' apparently was [[Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] and placed in [[Reserve fleet|reserve]] on 11 January 1932,<ref name=jawiki4/> and was transferred to the Sasebo Defense Division in the Sasebo Naval District on 10 November 1932,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/> and then to Submarine Squadron 2 in the [[2nd Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|2nd Fleet]] in the Combined Fleet on 15 November 1933.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/> She was recommissioned on 1 June 1934.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/> On 27 September 1934, she departed [[Ryojun]], [[Manchukuo]], in company with ''I-62'' and the submarines ''[[Japanese submarine I-156|I-56]]'', ''[[Japanese submarine I-157|I-57]]'', ''[[Japanese submarine I-158|I-58]]'', {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-64||2}}, ''[[Japanese submarine I-165|I-65]]'', ''[[Japanese submarine I-166|I-66]]'', and {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-67||2}} for a training cruise off [[Qingdao]], China.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI162/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI156>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-156.htm I-156 ijnsubsite.com October 15, 2018 Accessed 17 January 2021]</ref><ref name=ijnsubsiteI157>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-157.htm I-157 ijnsubsite.com 16 October 2018 Accessed 23 January 2021]</ref><ref name=ijnsubsiteI158>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-158.htm I-158 ijnsubsite.com 20 October 2018 Accessed 24 January 2021]</ref><ref name=ijnsubsiteI164>{{cite web |url= http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-164.htm |title=I-164 ex I-64 |first1= |last1= |work=iijnsubsite.info |date=9 November 2018|accessdate=31 December 2021}}</ref><ref name=ijnsubsiteI165>{{cite web |url= http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-165.htm |title=I-165 ex I-65 |first1= |last1= |work=iijnsubsite.info |date=11 May 2018|accessdate=19 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=ijnsubsiteI166>{{cite web |url= http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-166.htm |title=I-166 ex I-66 |first1= |last1= |work=iijnsubsite.info |date=30 August 2018|accessdate=19 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=ijnsubsiteI67>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-67.htm I-67 ijnsubsite.com September 14, 2018 Accessed 28 September 2020]</ref> The nine submarines completed the cruise with their arrival at Sasebo on 5 October 1934.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI162/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI156/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI157/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI158/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI164/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI165/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI166/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI67/>

On 7 February 1935, {{nowrap|''I-61''}} departed Sasebo in company with the other eight submarines of Submarine Squadron 2 — ''[[Japanese submarine I-153|I-53]]'', ''[[Japanese submarine I-154|I-54]]'', ''[[Japanese submarine I-155|I-55]]'', ''[[Japanese submarine I-159|I-59]]'', {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-60||2}}, {{nowrap|''[[Japanese submarine I-162|I-62]]'',}} {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-63||2}}, and ''I-64'' — for a training cruise in the [[Kuril Islands]].<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI162/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI164/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI153>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-153.htm I-153 ijnsubsite.com September 19, 2018 Accessed 15 January 2021]</ref><ref name=ijnsubsiteI154>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-154.htm I-154 ijnsubsite.com October 11, 2018 Accessed 15 January 2021]</ref><ref name=ijnsubsiteI155>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-155.htm I-155 ijnsubsite.com June 10, 2018 Accessed 15 January 2021]</ref><ref name=ijnsubsiteI159>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-159.htm I-159 ijnsubsite.com September 1, 2018 Accessed 9 January 2022]</ref><ref name=ijnsubsiteI60>{{cite web |url= http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-60.htm |title=I-60 |first1= |last1= |work=iijnsubsite.info |date=1 September 2018|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=ijnsubsiteI63>{{cite web |url= http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-63.htm |title=I-63 |first1= |last1= |work=iijnsubsite.info |date=24 August 2018|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref> The cruise concluded with their arrival at [[Sukumo, Kōchi|Sukumo]] Bay on 25 February 1935.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI162/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI164/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI153/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI154/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI155/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI159/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI60/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI63/> The nine submarines departed Sasebo on 29 March 1935 to train in Chinese waters, returning to Sasebo on {{nowrap|4 April 1935}}.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI162/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI164/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI153/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI154/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI155/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI159/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI60/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI63/> On 15 November 1935, Submarine Division 29 was reassigned to the Sasebo Defense Squadron in the Sasebo Naval District.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/>

On 1 December 1936, ''I-61'' again was assigned to Submarine Squadron 2 in the 2nd Fleet,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/> and on 15 December 1938 she was reassigned to the Submarine School at [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]].<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/> On 11 March 1939, ''I-61'' suffered damage in a collision with the Japanese [[destroyer]] ''[[Japanese destroyer Yakaze|Yakaze]]'' off [[Mitajiri]], Japan.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/><ref name=jawiki3/> Her Submarine School service ended when she was decommissioned and transferred to the Third Reserve in the Sasebo Naval District;<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/> sources claim that this took place both on 15 November 1939<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/> and on 20 March 1940.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/><ref name=jawiki4/>

On either 15 April 1940 or 15 November 1940,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/> ''I-61'' was recommissioned, and on 15 November 1940 she was reassigned to Submarine Squadron 5 in the Combined Fleet.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/> On 8 January 1941, she collided with the [[gunboat]] ''Kōshū Maru'' south of [[Cape Ashizuki]], Japan.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/><ref name=jawiki3/>

===Loss===
On 2 October 1941, with the commander of Submarine Division 29 on board, ''I-61'' departed Sasebo with the [[submarine tender]] ''Rio de Janeiro Maru'' bound for a fleet gathering point at [[Murokusumi]] in [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]]. In the [[Koshiki Channel]] that evening, the Japanese [[gunboat]] {{ship|Japanese gunboat|Kiso Maru||2}} mistook a red light she saw ''I-61'' displaying aft of ''Rio de Janeiro Maru'' for that of a smaller vessel and misjudged her passing distance behind ''I-61''. She collided with ''I-61'' around 23:21. ''I-61'' sank quickly, with the loss of all 71 men on board.<ref name=jawiki2/><ref name=jawiki3/><ref>『日本海軍の潜水艦 - その系譜と戦歴全記録』103頁。{{in lang|ja}}</ref>

On 20 January 1942 or in February 1942,<ref name=ijnsubsiteI61/> ''I-61''′s wreck was refloated, and it was sold for scrapping in 1942. ''I-61'' was struck from the naval register on 1 April 1942.

==References==
===Footnotes===
{{Reflist}}
===Bibliography===
*海軍歴史保存会『日本海軍史』第7巻、第9巻、第10巻、第一法規出版、1995年。{{in lang|ja}}
* 勝目純也『日本海軍の潜水艦 - その系譜と戦歴全記録』大日本絵画、2010年。{{in lang|ja}}
*宮内庁編『昭和天皇実録　第八　昭和十五年至昭和十七年』東京書籍株式会社、2016年3月。{{ISBN|978-4-487-74408-4}}。{{in lang|ja}}
*外山操『艦長たちの軍艦史』光人社、2005年。 {{ISBN|4-7698-1246-9}} {{in lang|ja}}
*雑誌「丸」編集部『写真 日本の軍艦 第12巻 潜水艦』光人社、1990年。{{ISBN|4-7698-0462-8}} {{in lang|ja}}
*雑誌「丸」編集部『ハンディ版 日本海軍艦艇写真集19巻』潜水艦伊号、光人社、1997年。{{in lang|ja}}

{{Kaidai type submarine}}
{{March 1939 shipwrecks}}
{{January 1941 shipwrecks}}
{{October 1941 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:I-061}}
[[Category:1927 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]
[[Category:Kaidai-class submarines]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1939]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in January 1941]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in October 1941]]
[[Category:Submarines sunk in collisions]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks in the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks of Japan]]
[[Category:Japanese submarine accidents]]
[[Category:Lost submarines of Japan]]
[[Category:Warships lost with all hands]]
[[Category:Submarines lost with all hands]]